HEALTH EFFECTS OF SOLID FUEL SMOKE
INDOOR POLLUTION
The adverse effects on respiratory health of products
of incomplete solid-fuel combustion are summarized
in Table 2, which also includes some of the known or
proposed mechanisms of damage. Exposure to solid
fuel smoke can be lifelong, beginning before birth
and early infancy, and continuing during adulthood,
especially in women, who are traditionally charged
with the task of cooking. Exposure is longer in cold
communities that require fire-related heating, and may
adversely impact lung growth and development, both
directly and through an increase in lung infections.
Indoor air pollution from indoor burning of solid
fuels has been associated with an increased risk of
several diseases and health conditions (Table 3). In
general, studies are scarce, and show varied health
outcomes. Moreover, they commonly lack a quantitative
exposure assessment, and rely instead on qualitative
or semiquantitative indicators, such as the use
of open fi re indoors. The majority of relevant associated
diseases19 are acute respiratory infections and
chronic bronchitis in childhood and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) in women in developing
countries. The amount of time that children and/
or women spend in proximity to fi res is the crucial
determinant of the health impact of indoor air pollution.
20 For other health outcomes, the adverse effects
of exposure to solid fuel smoke from coal or biomass